Kenya Insights

Tag: Prof. Elijah Bitange Ndemo

  • Why Newly Appointed UoN’s VC Bitange Ndemo Will Not Be Occupying The Office Immediately

    Why Newly Appointed UoN’s VC Bitange Ndemo Will Not Be Occupying The Office Immediately

    The University of Nairobi (UoN) Council has appointed Prof. Francis Mulaa, the newly named Deputy Vice Chancellor (DVC) in charge of Academic Affairs, as the Acting Vice Chancellor, effective May 5, 2025.

    This comes ahead of the formal assumption of office by the substantive Vice Chancellor, Prof. Bitange Ndemo, who is currently concluding his diplomatic tenure as Kenya’s Ambassador to Belgium.

    According to an official memo signed by Prof. Amukowa Anangwe, Chair of the University Council, Prof. Mulaa will serve in the acting capacity for a period of six months or until Prof. Ndemo formally takes office.

    “This is in exercise of the Council authority granted to the undersigned as per the resolution under Minute No. 17 (ii) and (iii) of the 145th meeting of the Council,” the memo dated May 5 reads in part.

    The decision seeks to prevent a potential leadership vacuum following the end of Prof. Margaret Hutchinson’s term as Acting Vice Chancellor.

    Prof. Ndemo, a former ICT Permanent Secretary and accomplished scholar, will return to the country upon completion of his diplomatic duties in Brussels.

    The memo states that Prof. Mulaa’s acting term shall cease on the date Prof. Ndemo officially assumes the Vice Chancellor’s role.

    In the interim, the Council mandated Prof. Mulaa to execute the responsibilities and authority of the Vice Chancellor in accordance with the Universities Act, 2012, the University of Nairobi Charter, 2013, and applicable government policies and circulars.

    The Council had named Prof. Mulaa, a distinguished academic in the Faculty of Science and Technology, DVC Academic Affairs in a letter preceding his assignment as Acting Vice Chancellor.

  • Former ICT PS Bitange Ndemo Tapped To Lead University of Nairobi

    Former ICT PS Bitange Ndemo Tapped To Lead University of Nairobi

    Top performance in recruitment process positions former PS as frontrunner for leadership role

    Prof. Elijah Bitange Ndemo, former ICT Permanent Secretary and distinguished academic, is strongly positioned to become the next Vice Chancellor of the University of Nairobi following his exceptional performance in the recently concluded recruitment process.

    According to University Council documents seen by Kenya Insights, Prof. Ndemo emerged as the clear frontrunner for the prestigious position, scoring an impressive 84 percent in the Public Service Commission’s rigorous selection process.

    This commanding lead—11 percentage points ahead of his closest competitor, Prof. Duke Orata who scored 73 percent—significantly strengthens his candidacy for the top leadership role at Kenya’s premier institution of higher learning.

    WHY NDEMO STANDS OUT

    Prof. Ndemo’s potential appointment would bring valuable leadership experience and academic credentials to the university at a critical time.

    As a former Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Information and Communication Technology, Ndemo has demonstrated administrative capabilities at the highest levels of government, potentially bringing both public sector expertise and academic understanding to the role.

    His strong showing in the PSC recruitment process suggests the selection panel recognized these qualifications, placing him well ahead of other candidates including Prof. Francis Jackim Mulaa, who received a score of 66.7 percent.

    In a letter dated May 2, 2025, University Council Chairperson Prof. Amukowa Anangwe highlighted the urgency of finalizing the appointment, stating that it is “imperative to restore stability and continuity in the leadership of the University.”

    PENDING CONFIRMATION

    While Prof. Anangwe has called on Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba to finalize the appointment process, official confirmation remains pending.

    The letter from the Council Chairperson indicates Prof. Ndemo would begin serving “with effect from 2nd May, 2025, subject to ratification by the Council.”

    The appointment process occurs against a backdrop of leadership challenges at the institution, including the earlier removal of former VC Prof. Stephen Kiama and ongoing tensions between the University Council and the Ministry of Education.

    Should the appointment proceed as indicated by the university council, Prof. Ndemo would take over from acting Vice Chancellor Prof. Margaret Jesang Hutchinson, who would return to her substantive role within the university.

    The pending appointment comes at a pivotal moment for the institution, which has been navigating leadership uncertainties for nearly two years.

    Prof. Ndemo’s extensive experience, both in academia and public service, positions him as a potentially stabilizing figure who could chart a new course for the university if his appointment is formalized.

    Education stakeholders now await the final confirmation from the Education Ministry to see whether Prof. Ndemo will indeed assume the leadership mantle at one of Africa’s most respected universities.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​